Impacts of natural resource-led development on the mekong energy system

Abstract

How might mainstream hydropower dams, irrigation, sea-level rise, upland rubber, enhanced rail connectivity, and smelting aluminium affect the energy system of mainland Southeast Asia? Upon considering impacts, what implications emerge for sustainable natural resource and infrastructural development? This chapter describes the Mekong Region's energy system, focusing on how six sets of potential changes introduced in Chap. 1 may impact on it. We approach the energy system through eight dimensions: energy metabolism, governance, availability, access, affordability, long-term sustainability of supply, resilience, and environmental sustainability. The analysis identifies possible impacts of each of the six potential developments on the system, individually as well as cumulatively.